Question

Infection control is an important component of a quality assurance/performance improvement/safety program. Research a procedure that could pose a risk for a health care associated infection and discuss policies and procedures in addition to hand washing that will help reduce the risk of infection.

Answer 1

Infection is common in a healthcare sector even for a healthier person. Healthcare associated infections are one when patient gets infection during their medical or surgical treatment in the hospital.

Urinary catheterization a most prevalent procedure done for a patient which poses a greater risk of infection to the patient if appropriate care is not taken by a healthcare professionals. Thus leading to unnecessary expenditure on antibiotics ,length of hospital stay,equipment, man power due to an infection. This is called as CAUTI(Catheter-associated urinary tract infection )

The policy focussed on the following

• Indication for catheterization
• Length or duration of the catheterization
• Procedure to be done by a Registered nurse after physician order
• The RN should assess the urine drainage, record intake-output, catheter care

In addition to hand washig some of the ways which will reduce the risk of infection are

• Catheter care twice a day go prevent growth of microorganism that paves way for infection
• Removal of catheter if no longer needed
• Change of catheter depending on the type (latex,rubber,PVC,Silicone catheter) to be done periodically
• Assess for infection in the periurethral site.